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Centripetal Acceleration Formula:
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Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of the circle. It is essential for maintaining circular motion and is perpendicular to the object's velocity vector.
The calculator uses the centripetal acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that centripetal acceleration increases with the square of velocity and decreases with increasing radius of the circular path.
Details: Centripetal acceleration is crucial in understanding circular motion phenomena, from planetary orbits to vehicle dynamics on curved paths. It's fundamental in physics, engineering, and various real-world applications.
Tips: Enter velocity in meters per second (m/s) and radius in meters (m). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for valid calculation.
Q1: What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal acceleration?
A: Centripetal acceleration is the actual acceleration toward the center, while centrifugal force is a fictitious force that appears to push objects outward in a rotating reference frame.
Q2: Does centripetal acceleration change the speed of an object?
A: No, centripetal acceleration only changes the direction of velocity, not its magnitude. The speed remains constant in uniform circular motion.
Q3: What are some real-world examples of centripetal acceleration?
A: Examples include cars turning on curves, planets orbiting the sun, amusement park rides, and electrons moving in circular paths in magnetic fields.
Q4: How does radius affect centripetal acceleration?
A: For a constant velocity, centripetal acceleration decreases as radius increases. Larger curves require less centripetal force to maintain the same speed.
Q5: What units should I use for the calculation?
A: Use consistent SI units: meters for radius, meters per second for velocity, which will give meters per second squared for acceleration.